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IP awareness session for African universities and research institutions

12 Dec 2022
Group photo from the event

On 6 and 7 December 2022, AfrIPI, in partnership with the European Patent Office (EPO) and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), organised a hybrid seminar titled PATLIB Seminar: IP awareness sessions on patents and innovation for Africa at the ARIPO headquarters in Harare, Zimbabwe

Participants for this two-day event came from 17 universities and research and development (R&D) institutions across Africa. As well as the host nation, Zimbabwe, the countries represented were Angola, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, South Africa and Tunisia.

The seminar aimed to raise awareness of the importance of IP to universities, R&D institutions, and innovation associations. This is because, internationally, the role of education has evolved beyond just transferring knowledge to students. In the knowledge economy where these institutions currently operate, there is a greater need to harness information, promote creativity and enable innovative value chains that contribute towards the sustainable development of communities and national economies.

In addition, the seminar also demonstrated how universities could leverage increased patent searches and innovation efficiencies. This information is available through the PATLIB network, coordinated by the EPO.

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